Punter sponsors race to celebrate divorce

David Chillery raises a glass to life as a single punterImage: Twitter

A divorced British punter is enjoying solo life so much that he celebrates by sponsoring races in honour of his agreeable marital status.

On Tuesday the "David Chillery Happy Days Celebrating His Divorce Novices' Handicap Chase" was run at Newtown Abbot - a race title that certainly caught the eye of punters on social media.

It means exactly what it says too, with twice-divorced 74-year-old David Chillery explaining to At The Races that life without a stablemate has provided him with the opportunity to pursue activities that he otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford.

"It's the only way I've had money. If I'd still been married I would have not had the money to be able to do this," Chillery said.

"The first one [divorce] was 1979 and the second one was 1998.

"They both run off with my best friend!"

A keen racing man, Chillery first sponsored a race as a tribute to his singledom several years ago.

"I love me racing. I love it here [at Newtown Abbot], it's one of the finest courses I've ever been to," he said.

"They look after me. Every year when I come."

After backing two losers on the marriage front, Chillery is adamant he won't be buttering up for a third time.

"No sir, no, no way," he said with a laugh when the question was raised.